Mike Williams caught a touchdown pass to give the Chargers a lead. (Photo by Duane Barker).
(Carson) – The Chargers turned the ball over seven times and were shut out in the second half in a 39-10 loss to Minnesota Sunday at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The Chargers led 10-9 early in the second quarter but Minnesota scored the next 30 points to finish it off.
The Chargers had taken the 10-9 lead with 8:42 left in the second quarter when Philip Rivers hit Mike Williams on a two-yard touchodown pass to cap a 10 play, 75-yard drive. From then on it was all Vikings.
After Dan Bailey kicked a 44-yard field goal to give the Vikes a 12-10 lead the two teams traded interceptions. First Harrison Smith picked off Rivers and then Melvin Ingram intercepted Kirk Cousins.
On the next possession the Chargers coughed it up again. Rivers fumbled it and for a split second Austin Ekeler had it for the Chargers. But he couldn’t hold on and Ifeadi Odenigbo scooped it up and rumbled 56 yards for a Viking touchdown with just seven seconds left in the first half. The Vikings took the 19-10 lead into the break.
Bailey booted a 38 yarder to open the second half and the Chargers struggles continued on the ensuing possession.
Ty Long’s punt was blocked and the Vikes took over at the Charger 41 leading to another Bailey field goal to make it 25-10.
The Chargers drove down to the Minnesota 15 yard line on the next series but Rivers’ pass on fourth down fell incomplete.
Melvin Gordon fights for yardage. (Photo by Duane Barker).
Minnesota drove the nail in the coffin on the next possession as the Chargers fumbled and the Vikings recovered at the LA 10. Boone made the Chargers pay with a two-yard touchdown run and the rout was officially on at 39-10.
Rivers was intercepted on the Chargers next two possessions by Mike Hughes and Anthony Harris respectively.
Cousins hit Irv Smith on a one-yard touchdown strike on the Vikings opening possession for a 6-0 lead. LA countered with a 41 yard field goal by Michael Badgley.
Melvin Gordon fumble led to a Bailey 26-yard field goal to give Minnesota 9-3 early in the second quarter.
The Chargers responded with Rivers’ TD strike to Williams but then the roof fell in.
Rivers finished with 307 yards passing on 28 of 39 and a touchdown but he was hurt by the three picks. Keenan Allen caught nine passes for 99 yards.
The Charger defense battles to make a play. (Photo by Duane Barker).
The Chargers fell to 5-9 on the year and will face Oakland next week at home. The Vikings improved to 10-4 and can clinch a playoff spot with a win or a Ram loss over the next two weeks.
MN 6 13 6 14 39
LA 3 7 0 0 10
@ D-Mo: Yeah, and Philip Rivers is now committing turnovers at a rate comparable to Jamarcus Russell and Tony Banks.
All that talent, but a QB that can’t move . What a shame.